Destkelamedia

After years of anticipation and multiple postponements, the Port Harcourt refinery operations have officially commenced, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector. This long-awaited breakthrough was confirmed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on Tuesday, with the announcement that truck loading of refined products would begin the same day. The refinery, located in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, has started with an initial capacity of 60,000 barrels per day. It is now producing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), diesel, and other petroleum products for the Nigerian market. According to the NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, this development signals a new chapter in Nigeria’s quest to reduce dependency on imported refined fuel. In an official statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the NNPC declared: “NNPC Ltd delivers Port Harcourt Refinery as the plant begins truck-out of products today, Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 1:45...

The National Assembly on Monday raised concerns over President Bola Tinubu's loan request, questioning its necessity as key federal revenue-generating agencies reported surpassing their 2024 targets. During a joint session of the Senate and House Committees on Finance, Budget, and National Planning, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, disclosed that the agency had exceeded expectations, generating N1.5 trillion in education tax revenue against a target of N70 billion. He further noted that the agency collected N5.7 trillion in company income tax, surpassing its N4 trillion goal. Adedeji emphasized that total revenue collection as of September 2024 stood at N18.5 trillion out of the projected N19.4 trillion for the year, positioning the FIRS to exceed its annual target well before December. He added that these results were achieved despite economic challenges. Similarly, Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian N...

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, a prominent member of Nigeria’s National Assembly, has debunked claims that a proposal to purchase a new presidential jet was ever presented to the legislative body for approval. His remarks come amidst growing public discourse on government spending and transparency. Addressing the allegations, Abaribe emphasized that any expenditure of such magnitude requires due legislative process. "There has been no formal request brought to the National Assembly National Assembly members were not spared in the criticisms regarding the jet purchase, as many labelled them as rubber stamp easy approval of the Presidency’s request to purchase a new jet. However, Senator Abaribe, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today, yesterday, said such a request was never brought to the National Assembly. He said: “I am in the National Assembly, but I can tell you for a fact that nobody, quote me, nobody brought anything to the National Assembly to say plea...

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has come under scrutiny following its request for an additional subsidy refund of N1.19 trillion. This amount, linked to exchange rate differentials on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) importation and joint venture taxes, has sparked significant concerns among state governments and stakeholders. The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) Postmortem Sub-Committee’s report for September 2024 revealed that exchange rate differentials stood at N4.56 trillion as of June 2024 but rose to N5.31 trillion by July. The NNPCL attributed this increase to currency fluctuations and unresolved subsidy payments from previous months. However, the FAAC Sub-Committee flagged inconsistencies in the NNPCL’s accounting practices, particularly regarding the inclusion of N1.19 trillion as a balance brought forward without prior acknowledgment in earlier FAAC reports. Concerns Over Accounting Practices The Sub-Committee’s report highlighted that the N1....

Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK’s Labour Party, has reaffirmed his strong stance on upholding democracy in England, responding to recent political unrest with firm statements about the country’s legal framework and its democratic principles. His remarks come amid growing controversy surrounding a petition that has gained significant attention in political circles. Starmer, addressing the media, made it clear that while England prides itself on its democratic values, there are limits to how far these freedoms can be exercised, particularly when actions threaten the stability of the nation. He emphasized that the rule of law would prevail and all individuals involved in signing the petition, which is seen as undermining the nation’s political system, would face legal consequences. The petition in question has stirred debate, with critics arguing it challenges fundamental democratic principles, while others believe it represents a legitimate expression of public opinion. St...

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has initiated a legislative move to repeal the Commission of Inquiry Law, 1999. This law, originally part of the old Rivers State legal framework, is being reconsidered in light of the ongoing political unrest and the need for a more modernized legal system. The push for the repeal comes just weeks after the state government established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry. This commission was tasked with investigating the widespread violence and destruction of local government secretariats during the riots following the recent local government elections. High-profile figures, such as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, and Chief Tony Okocha, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, were summoned to testify but declined to attend. On November 22, 2024, the legislative body introduced the Commission of Inquiry Bill, 2024, marki...